Well, I'm finally getting back to the frugal way of life. It really helps to be reading "The Complete Tightwad Gazette", all of Amy's info is awesome, and very inspiring! I went grocery shopping today with only 5 things on my list, and I came out of the store with only 5 things, the things on my list! The only thing that I bought on my list that some people would say is non-essential was a 12 pack of beer. Well, I could easily cut this out, but that 12 pack will last us 2 weeks, and we really enjoy having a beer on the front porch with our neighbors. They all drink beer as well, and there is nothing like an ice cold beer on a hot day.

Now that I know that I can do this, I have been easily able to ignore that voice in my head that says "buy, buy, buy". We are still waiting to get our half of pig from the butcher. Last year we had 50 pounds less, and the meat lasted us over 6 months. This year I think it will last about 8. I've been using meat out of the freezer to make room for all the pork we are going to have soon.

I have also been writing down EVERYTHING that I spend any money on, be it the coffee at starbucks, or the 5 things on my grocery list, and this is a very short list this week! I'm so proud of myself! This is the first week in a year that I have only had 1 starbucks coffee!!!!! I normally have 1 per day, and sometimes 2! This is a savings of about $16 to $32 for the week alone! I think I am going to deduct this from the check book as "Starbucks Savings" and put it in our ING account. I also like the fact that writing everything that you spend down makes you accountable for what you are spending your money on, it really makes you think before you spend because of the fact that you are going to be writing it down when you get home for the hubby to see! I recommend that you try this little trick, it really works!

Let me know what frugal tips you have, or any money saving tips too! I've started washing and saving my ziploc bags, something I have never done, and my Mom never did! I am also starting to save aluminum foil, something my Mom always did, but I haven't done much.